Soldering in Clockmaking

Soldering involves the joining of metal under heat. Solders are commonly divided into two general groups, known as hard and soft solders. The hard solder fuse only at a red heat and the soft solder fuse at lower degrees of heat.

Four general rules for successful soldering are:
1. absolute cleanliness of the parts
2. equal heating of parts being joined
3. a pure flux
4. a solder of the proper alloy

Possible heat sources are propane, natural gas, acetylene, oxy-acetylene, water torch, lamps, and irons.
Solder is made up of alloys of two or more metals and there is a wide variety. Soft solder is made up mostly of lead and tin. Generally the higher the percentage of tin the lower the melting point. For soft soldering, where temperatures of around 500 degrees F will be required, electric soldering irons will usually do the job. The major drawback of  a soldering iron in clock repair is that they must be brought into direct contact with the parts to be joined. This is sometimes difficult without dislocating the parts.

A soldering flux is a liquid, solid or gaseous material, which when heated is capable of promoting or accelerating the wetting of metal with solder.

There are some basic principles of soldering in Clockmaking.
1. Solder is not a cure-all and should never be used as a filler. Careful fitting, leaving as little area as possible to be filled by solder will produce the strongest joint.
2. Clean surfaces
3. Support each part so they will not move before the solder flows and cools.
4. Always apply flux
5. Never apply heat directly to the solder, heat should be directed to the parts to be joined.
6. Use as little solder as possible, all that is necessary to fill the joint.
7. Allow solder to cool before moving.
8. Remove excess solder

Soldering is an art, so practice makes perfect. I do not do a lot of soldering which is good in clock work but it also means I have not perfected the art of soldering.  

  

Carriage Clocks

A carriage clock is a small, spring-driven clock designed for traveling. The case is usually rectangular glass with a carrying handle on the top, installed for easy transportation. A feature of carriage clocks is the platform escapement, sometimes visible through the top of the case.

Traveling clocks were being made as early as the 15th century. But the first authentic carriage clock was made in Paris by Abraham-Louis Breguet in the 1800's. It was fashionable to own a carriage clock in the 1800's. During that period the wealthy were traveling more and wanting to know the time. The clock's revolutionary lever escapement and their sturdy leather traveling case, helped it to stand up to the rigors of traveling by carriage-hence their name-carriage clock. Based on historical legend carriage clocks are also know in France as an "officer's clock". It is said that Napoleon, having almost lost a battle because one of his officers was late, ordered his military chiefs to carry a carriage clock with them at all times.

Carriage clocks faded from popularity around 1930 but are still produced today. You can purchase them in a variety of styles. They range from inexpensive to thousands of dollars.

     

Webster-Whitcomb Lathe

Even though I am a clockmaker and don't repair watches, I have a watchmaker's lathe. I use a Webster-Whitcomb lathe to polish the pivots on clock wheels.

The WW lathes are steeped in American history. The American Watch Tool Company started in New England in the 1800's and made over 5000 lathes which were in high demand. Ambrose Webster designed a lathe know as the "Webster-Whitcomb" and it was a superior tool then and still is today.

I bought mine several years ago for $225.00 but originally they sold back in the 1800's for $60.00-$30.00. This lathe has stood the test of time and is still sought after as a fine piece of machinery.

Here is a picture of my lathe.

Pendulette Clocks

If you ever thought about collecting clocks and thought, "I don’t have the space or could not stand to hear them chiming". Well, I have the perfect solution for you. They are called pendulette clocks made by Lux. In 1914 Paul Lux, with wife Caroline and sons Fred and Herman started their own clock business after Paul was employed by Waterbury Clock Company. 

They are delightful little clocks that do not make any sounds except, tick tock. They are only 5-7 inches in size. They were built from the 1930’s to the 1950’s and sold as children’s novelty clocks. Produced in mass quantities and very inexpensive, selling originally for $2.00 to $3.00. Now some of the rare ones in mint condition can go for $2,000.-$3,000.  But many can be found on EBAY for a reasonable price. Many of the pendulette clock faces are made of a mixture of fine sawdust and resin and poured into a mold.

I own two “Cuckoo Style” which are pretty common but they made many varieties. The clock faces have flowers, horses, birds, shmoo, cats, dogs, cottages, and woody woodpecker.  

You can go to this link and see a full collection of these clocks. http://www.nawcc.org/museum/nwcm/galleries/lux/luxclocks.htm 

I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do.